Can edibles insect residues contribute to Integrated Pest Management? Case study of the multitrophic relationship soil: tomato: leafminer: natural enemy

• Grant number: 24/15441-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Carolina Reigada Montoya
• Grantee: Juliana Santos de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Edible insects, promising sources of alternative protein, has gained visibility worldwide. Among the most produced species, Hermetia illucens stands out for its circular production models. Such species not only generates protein meal, but also produces frass and puparia. The frass, a residue rich in organic matter, has been investigated in plant nutrition sector; however, together with the puparia, they distinguish from other organic fertilizers for containing chitin. This polysaccharide complex is used in agriculture to stimulate beneficial microorganisms present in the soil, which are responsible for promoting the plant growth and stimulate its immune system. On this way, the uses of frass and puparia of H. illucens can influence the soil composition and the nutrients plant supply, as well as the plant's defense tactics against herbivore attacks and their biology and behavior, due to the bottom-up effect. Nevertheless, little is known whether the effects of these residues can contribute to integrate past management. Tomato orchards present high demands for inputs, both nutritional and defensive, and recent studies have indicated the parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum as an agent contributing to the Phthorimaea absoluta management, an important pest of the crop. In this context, the use of H. illucens residues can promote sustainable practices in tomato orchards and circularity in agriculture. Thus, this study will seek a better understanding of the residues use effects in the multitrophic system soil: tomato: P. absoluta: T. pretiosum, comparing them with chitin-free organic fertilization (worm castings) and inorganic fertilization (NPK), as well as evaluating their performance in the agronomic characteristics and defense of tomato plants against P. absoluta.